St. Mary's University

What is the accreditation of St. Mary's University?

St. Mary's University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Institutional accreditation applies to the university as a whole and is an important condition for participation in federal student-aid programs.

Some professional programs also have separate accreditation. The Greehey School of Business holds AACSB accreditation, and the School of Law has American Bar Association accreditation. These are distinct from SACSCOC accreditation and apply to particular schools or programs. Applicants considering a licensed profession should confirm the accreditation and licensing rules for their specific program and the state where they expect to work. Accreditation also does not guarantee that another institution will accept a particular transfer course; the receiving institution makes that decision.

What are the admission requirements at St. Mary's University?

First-year admission at St. Mary's is selective in the sense that applicants must be reviewed, but its reported admission rate is high: approximately 98% of first-year applicants were admitted in the latest figures supplied for this profile. Admission still depends on submitting the required application materials and meeting applicable academic and program requirements.

First-year applicants generally need an application and a secondary-school transcript documenting high school completion or an accepted equivalent. The university considers high school GPA and academic record. Class rank and recommendations are not listed as required, while SAT or ACT scores are considered but not required. Applicants should therefore distinguish a test-optional policy from a promise that scores will have no bearing on a decision if submitted.

Applicants educated in a language other than English may have an English-proficiency requirement; TOEFL is identified among the requirements in institutional admissions reporting. Requirements can differ for international, graduate and professional applicants, and particular programs may request additional materials. Before applying, confirm the deadline and document checklist for the intended entry term and applicant category rather than assuming one university-wide process applies to everyone.

What are the application fees and waivers at St. Mary's University?

Application charges and fee-waiver procedures should be checked in St. Mary's current application instructions before an applicant submits a form. A fee to apply is different from a later enrollment deposit or other charge associated with attending.

Students for whom an application charge poses a hardship should ask undergraduate admissions about waiver eligibility and the steps required before submission. Transfer, graduate and law applicants should use the instructions for their own application route, since the form and any associated charge may differ from those for first-year undergraduates. Applicants using an outside application platform should also check which organization collects any displayed fee.

What types of ROTC programs are available at St. Mary's University?

Students can pursue Army ROTC through a unit at St. Mary's. The program combines college coursework and military training for students interested in an Army officer commission.

Joining an ROTC class, receiving an ROTC scholarship and contracting to serve are different steps. Scholarship eligibility and eventual service obligations depend on the applicable Army ROTC rules and the student's agreement. Prospective participants should discuss course scheduling, physical and medical standards, scholarships and commissioning requirements with the campus Army ROTC program before making an enrollment decision. Applicants interested in Air Force or Navy ROTC should verify whether a current cross-enrollment arrangement is available rather than assuming those branches operate on campus.

What are the requirements for transfer students at St. Mary's University?

St. Mary's accepts transfer applicants and generally considers coursework completed at other accredited institutions. Transfer entry is reported as available for fall, spring and summer, though deadlines and course availability may vary by term.

Transfer applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from each college attended. Admissions eligibility and the award of transfer credit are separate decisions: a course may be accepted for credit without satisfying a requirement in a particular major. St. Mary's also reports accepting some credit based on ACE recommendations and DSST/DANTES examinations, but applicability to a degree requires an individual evaluation.

Before committing, a transfer applicant should request an official review showing which credits count toward general education, the proposed major and the minimum credits that must be completed at St. Mary's. This is particularly important for sequential majors such as engineering and for students close to finishing a degree. Ask the admissions or registrar's office whether high school records, a minimum college GPA or additional program-specific materials apply to the intended application.

What types of study abroad programs are available at St. Mary's University?

St. Mary's offers students ways to pursue international study, with arrangements that may include university-sponsored experiences and approved programs offered with outside partners. The available destinations, duration and academic offerings can change from one term to another.

Students considering a semester abroad or a shorter faculty-led experience should establish in advance how courses will apply to their degree. Approval is especially important for majors with tightly sequenced classes and for students who need a specific course to graduate on time. They should also ask study-abroad and financial-aid advisers which institutional scholarships or other aid can be used for the particular program; aid treatment should not be assumed to be identical for a university program and a third-party option.